The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Liora

+25 BONUS

My jacket slapped onto the back of my chair, the rain still humming against the roof above. But all I could think about were Callum’s eyes from the third–story window.

The way he looked at me, like he knew I’d been looking for him for days. Like he didn’t come to see me, but to tell his friend to back off.

I dropped into my seat with a huff. Around me, my classmates chattered, the usual buzz of whispers and thinly veiled glances. I braced myself. The desk was suspiciously clean, no slurs scratched into the wood today. That alone felt like a threat.

By now, I’d learned how to stomach it. When you know the thing they’re bullying isn’t really you, just some twisted lie I invented, it gets easier to ignore.

But something about Jessica’s expression today was different.

She wasn’t sneering or glaring.

She was smiling.

That kind of bored, smug smile people wear when they’ve already decided they’ve won.

She’d turned in her seat, chin in her hand, watching me like a cat watches a caged mouse, like she was already picking out which part of me to tear into first.

And I didn’t like it.

Not one bit.

Mia shot me a worried glance from across the classroom, her notes halfway finished and a little crooked, her version of stress. She could tell soemthing was up too.

“Relax,” I mouthed under my breath.

She didn’t look up, but she nodded.

The teacher droned on about something I’ve already learned too much about–history, economics, legacy. Words that meant nothing when the school was eyeing you like a bomb.

A wad of paper hit my shoulder. Another laugh.

Break came soon enough, the teacher giving us around ten minutes to stretch and mingle while he slipped out for a few minute to grab a snack.

I stretched, rising my arms above my head when my phone buzzed in my bag. I reached for it, hoping maybe it was from Mia, she’d gone to the bathroom moments before break. But before I could even lift it—

It was snatched, right out of my bag.

Those long pig nails curled around the screen with a smile. Jessica.

Chapter 55

+25 BONUS

She stood at my side, smirking like a cat who found something new to tear up. Her long hair was in two twin tails down her back, her eyeliner sharper then a knife.

“Ugh, gods, even your phone is bland.”

I put out my hand, “Give it back, Jessica. I’m not in a good mood.”

“Oh no,” she mocked a fearful gasp. “Why? Could it be everyone hates you and wants you gone?”

“If I say yes will you give me the phone?”

“No way! Let’s see who our little charity case talks to,” she said, unlocking the screen like she had every right to it. “Ooooh… what’s this? Aw, you’re dad texted you? How sweet! What could a loser like him say to his lowly daughter?”

My dad… the Alpha King. Who knows what he could have said.

I stood so fast my chair scraped across the tile.

“Give it back. Now”

Jessica turned away, holding the phone over her head like we were ten and on a playground.

“Woah! Chill! What a touchy subject! What are you… close to you dad? You know people say wolfless are so unwanted thee forced to… inbreed. Mia’s family would know all about that!”

A ripple of rumors sparked voices around the room. “No way… Mia is a mutt!”

“Ha! Makes sense! Wolfless are useless!”

My blood ignited. None of that was true, and Mia didn’t deserve this. No one did.

Maybe it was built up from putting up with this bull, but I snapped before I could stop myself.

My hand coiled into her wrist and squeezed. She yelped insantly, the phone popping loose. It clattered to the floor and skidded under the teacher’s desk.

“You nasty mutt!” She snarled, ripping her hand away but we both dove for the phone. I got there first, snatching it and shoving it deep into my pocket.

I was only on my feet for a second when Jessica whipped back around, eyes blazing. “You psycho-!”

She lunged.

We crashed into desks. Metal screeched across the floor. I felt her nails rake across my cheek like fire. I retaliated, grabbing a fistful of her hair and yanking until she screeched. Her knee came up, I twisted. My elbow jammed into her ribs. She went down, but not without dragging me with her.

The classroom erupted.

“Liora!” I heard Mia cry from the front.

Hands grabbed at my shoulders–people, students, I didn’t know who. My vision tunneled.

Chapter 55

+25 BONUS

Jessica was snarling beneath me, I could have done more, easily snapped her arm or leg, but one hand over her face, her cheek bleeding from the scratch I’d given her. It wasn’t deep, but it was visible. And for Jessica? That

was war.